Winter (and the end) is coming to Game of Thrones, but as fans wait for season 8, Joe Dempsie confirms his character Gendry will play a major part.
While the first seven seasons of Game of Thrones have sent some big names packing to an early grave, the cast is still as big as ever as the show heads into its end game. Gendry may not be as big as Kit Harington’s Jon Snow or Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen, but Dempsie confirms his long-awaited return will be worth the wait in the final run of six episodes.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Dempsie revealed what fans can expect when Thrones returns in 2019, telling the site “I’ve done well out of it this year, for sure” about his screen time. However, before audiences start flying their Baratheon flags once again, Dempsie teased that Gendry might not be one of those lucky few who make it out of Thrones alive:
“As with all these things, we never shoot in chronological order – so you might have people coming in at the beginning and at the end, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they make it all the way through! For me personally, the only real hope I had for the character was just that he would be there when the reckoning came. You got the sense – even back in season 3 – that this was a show that was building towards some incredible climax, so you just wanted to be there when it all happened.
“Not even necessarily just from a character point-of-view, [but] from a personal point of view – to be stood there on the set when they’re making that ending… that end game. So yeah, I’m very happy to be involved and be on set for season 8.”
It is certainly great news for Dempsie, who has had a relatively small stint on HBO’s show despite being the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. As the son of Mark Addy’s King Robert Baratheon, Gendry was unwillingly caught in the War of the Five Kings as everyone from Cersei Lannister to Stannis Baratheon was out for his king’s blood. Saved by Ser Davos Seaworth, Gendry was sent rowing to safety… where he remained for a mere four seasons.
Just as Tobias Menzies said he doesn’t know if he will return as Edmure Tully, many of the show’s stars are kept in the dark about their impending demises, possible returns, or what role they could have in the final season. However, with Gendry still confined to the sidelines in season 7, many had expected he would finally get his time to shine in season 8. Even if King Robert’s last bastard is one of those unlucky few who meets their maker in season 8, it sounds like Gendry will go out with his warhammer swinging.
Although Gendry doesn’t seem bothered with the ongoing race to the Iron Throne, he has firmly cemented himself as part of Team Dany when he joined Jon Snow’s Magnificent Seven and went hunting wights in “Beyond the Wall”. Last seen at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, Gendry’s storyline could easily have been left there, but there was always a sense that there was more to come from the forgotten blacksmith. Whether or not Dempsie’s downtrodden orphan is seen sitting on the Iron Thrones or not, at least fans can take solace that showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have a plan for Gendry.
More: Game of Thrones: How Winterfell Can Survive A White Walker Attack
Game of Thrones season 8 premieres in 2019 on HBO.
Source: Digital Spy
